Contact’s Training offer

Contact offer bespoke training for forums above the core offer. In this section we discuss what is available.

In addition to the core offer for forums, Contact offer some bespoke paid for training which forums can choose to purchase.  

DARE! Developing A Resilience Ethos 

Would you like the time and space to reflect on the challenges and stresses you face every day, both in your personal life and in your forum role? This course focuses on building a more resilient YOU, resilience for your forum or support group too. This includes: 

• Down tools – take time out to review and think clearly and calmly. 

• Adventurous thinking – get creative to find solutions. 

• Reality planning – test out options. 

• Empower and move forwards – empower yourself and take action. 

This workshop for forums and support group leaders will help you prioritise your own needs and mental wellbeing. You’ll develop your resilience skills and qualities, helping you bounce back and feel more in control. You’ll learn how to build a strong and supportive team around you. 

The DARE! Workshop covers: 

• Understanding resilience. 
• Identifying your own stress signs. 
• Looking at challenges from different perspectives. 
• Problem solving models to find ones that work for you. 
• Skills and qualities to build your resilience. 
• Techniques to add to your Resilience Toolkit. 
• Exploring your role in your support group or forum. 
• Personal development planning.

This workshop takes place over two 2.5-hour sessions and can deliver it over the course of one day or in two separate sessions. 

Leading your forum or support group 

Develop your leadership skills and succession planning on this course for those that run parent carer forums and support groups. This training takes place over six sessions of 2.5 hour each and is suitable for: 

• Experienced chairs, co-chairs or directors of forums and support groups who are looking to develop their leadership skills further. 
• Forums and support groups who are looking at succession planning and want to develop someone from your team into a leadership role. 
• Anyone interested in understanding and developing leadership skills in a support group or forum. 

You’ll: 

• Increase your understanding of key principles and theories of effective leadership. 
• Learn useful tools and strategies to take back to your steering group or management committee. 
• Discuss your unique challenges and opportunities with peers. 
• Share ideas and experiences of what works. 

Parent representative training  

All you need to know about becoming a parent representative. You’ll benefit from this course if you’re: 

• New to your forum and thinking about getting more involved. 

• Interested in becoming a parent rep to represent other parents’ views on strategic groups. 

• Already a parent rep and want to refresh their knowledge and to gain more confidence in the role. 

• Interested in learning more about the roles and responsibilities of a parent representative. 

The course runs over four sessions and will help you: 

• Increase your understanding of key principles and legislation around parent carer participation. 
• Increase your understanding of how the SEND system works. 
• Develop your confidence when participating in meetings. 
• Gain a greater understanding of the roles and responsibilities of a parent representative. 
• Communicate more effectively with parents and gather their feedback. 

Prices and booking  

For information about group booking or multiple purchases, or to book a course, just get in touch:  

Call: Ellie Goff- 07884 742154  
Email us: [email protected]  

Do you have any thoughts about this page? Visit our How to feedback page to share them.

Looking for something else? You can find a full list of pages on our Parent carer forum handbook contents page.